Trump Engages Maduro in Discussion Over Possible Meeting

US President Donald Trump held a phone conversation last week with Venezuelan leader Nicolás Maduro, discussing the possibility of a meeting in the United States, The New York Times reported on Friday. Secretary of State Marco Rubio reportedly participated in the call.

The reported discussion comes amid growing US pressure on Venezuela, including a significant military deployment in the Caribbean featuring the world’s largest aircraft carrier.

Washington says the deployment targets drug trafficking, but Caracas views it as an attempt at regime change.

Since early September, US forces have struck over 20 alleged Venezuelan drug-smuggling vessels in the Caribbean and eastern Pacific, resulting in more than 80 deaths.

The US has yet to provide evidence that these vessels were actively smuggling drugs or posed a threat to national security, fueling regional tensions.

The Trump-Maduro call follows the US president’s recent statement that measures to curb Venezuelan drug trafficking by land are imminent, escalating the standoff with Caracas.

"You probably noticed that people aren't wanting to be delivering by sea, and we'll be starting to stop them by land," he said in remarks to US troops, adding: "Also the land is easier, but that's going to start very soon."

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Army chief assures business community of ‘complete support’ for economic uplift

Chief of Army Staff Gen Qamar Javed Bajwa on Wednesday assured the business community of the army’s “complete support” for the economic uplift of the country. He made this assurance during a meeting with businessmen who called on him at the General Headquarters today, according to a statement by the military’s media affairs wing. A delegation of the Federation of Pakistan Chambers of Commerce & Industry (FPCCI) and the army chief discussed the “evolving regional economic environment” as well as the FPCCI’s role in the development of commercial and industrial hubs in Pakistan, the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) said. During the meeting, Gen Bajwa appreciated the role of the business community in the economic uplift of the country and affirmed all-out support of the army in this regard. The delegation, meanwhile, acknowledged the Pakistan Army’s role and sacrifices in the provision of a "secure enabling environment" for economic prosperity in the country, acco...

3rd U-19 Women T20: South Africa beat Pakistan by 52 runs

In the third T20 of the five-match series in Karachi, South Africa Under-19 women's team defeated Pakistan Under-19 women's team by 52 runs tonight. Batting first, South Africa Under-19 women's team scored 158 runs for the loss of six wickets in allotted 20 overs. In reply, Pakistan Under-19 women's team were all out for 106 runs in 18 overs. South Africa lead the series 2-1.

Military court case: SC rejects govt plea for constitution of full court bench

The Supreme Court of Pakistan has rejected a government plea to constitute a full court bench to decide the issue of civilian trials in military courts. The government had urged the court to set up a full court on the question. The was heard by a six-member larger bench headed by Chief Justice Umar Ata Bandial, which reserved its judgment on Tuesday. The bench ruled that judges were not available for the constitution of full court bench due to summer vacations. The bench includes Justice Ijazul Ahsan, Justice Muneeb Akhtar, Justice Yahya Afridi, Justice Mazahar Ali Akbar Naqvi and Justice Ayesha Malik. The Chief Justice of the Supreme Court remarked during the hearing yesterday (on Tuesday) that there should be an independent body to review whether the arrests were made on valid grounds or not. The attorney general of Pakistan submitted the details of 102 people who face military trials to the court. Justice Mazahir Naqvi said in his remarks why other accused in the same case ...

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